Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss

Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss

Lessons & Notes:

More than 80% of the interviewees in this book have some form of daily meditative practice. Also, a majority of males over 45 interviewed skip breakfast, or eat super light.

Be the change you want to see in the world. Lead by example, not by opinion.

“When 99% of people doubt you, you’re either gravely wrong or about to make history.”

Happiness is wanting what you have.

You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.

“Losers have goals. Winners have systems.”

“If you ran into an asshole in the morning you ran into an asshole. If you run into assholes all day, you’re the asshole.”

“Fighting emotions is like flailing in quicksand—it only makes things worse. Sometimes, the most proactive “defense” is a mental nod and wink.”

Becoming a good public speaker (often considered the number one fear among people) is a rare skill to have.

“Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.”

If you let your education lead to knowledge, you become foolish. If you let your education lead into action, you become wealthy.

Investing in yourself is the best investment you’ll ever make. There’s no monetary investment that’ll ever match it, because as you gain more knowledge, health, relationships, talent, skill, grit, and ability, you inevitably will gain more money.

The world’s biggest problems are the world’s biggest business opportunities.

What you do is more important than how you do it, because at the end of day doing something well doesn’t make it important.

The person who is willing to suffer the most and be the most uncomfortable is not only the most fearless, but advances the fastest.

Most of us would rather be wrecked by admiration than saved by criticism.

Three options: You can change it, accept it, or you can leave it.

When it comes to your health, there isn’t a diet out there that works for all. You can read books and educate yourself on all types of diets, but that doesn’t free you from having to eat dairy, gluten, etc. to find out if you’re sensitive.

Be brave enough to enter into unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory, but also be smart enough to discontinue exploring when you’ve identified something worth sticking around for.

Be your unapologetically weird self — weird = attention-grabbing

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” —Pablo Picasso”

“I am not the strongest, I am not the fastest. But I’m really good at suffering.” —Amelia Boone

Billions of new consumers are coming online in the next few years. What do they need?

The things that are making you the most anxious are often the things that have been moved from one day’s to-do list to the next, to the next, and so on.

On your to-do list, the most uncomfortable task is usually most important.

Diversify jobs, investments, clients, friends, etc. for stress management. Ex.I’m not going to worry about losing a client if you have 50 clients, same with real estate, stocks, side hustles, jobs, and friends.

You often shouldn’t start a business unless people are asking you to.

“If you find yourself saying, “But I’m making so much money” about a job or project, pay attention. “But I’m making so much money,” or “But I’m making good money” is a warning sign that you’re probably not on the right track or, at least, that you shouldn’t stay there for long. Money can always be regenerated. Time and reputation cannot.”

Strong opinions, loosely held.

The less you own, the less owns you.

“The opposite of play isn’t work. Its depression.”

“The opposite of happiness is boredom.”

Kids don’t do what you say. They do what they see. Be an example for them.

Set your goals absurdly high and if you fail, at least you’ll fail above everyone else’s definition of success.

Profit with your mind, not your time.

You don’t need any more ideas, you need to trust and act on the ideas that you already have up your sleeve.

If you want to move fast, you will make mistakes. Be okay with making errors 10-20% of time if it means you can move fast.

Success starts with attracting 1,000 fans and making them extremely happy.

The way you foster creativity is by stepping outside the norm and experiencing new adventures that will form into a story, a podcast, or even a business idea.

For years, Whitney Cummings, a famous actress and writer did comedy by using the same cycle of material and refining & tweaking of her craft – until one day she realized she was omitting the life that would supply her with new material. Only when she started making time for herself outside of her work did her success reach the next level.

If you’re having trouble figuring out what to work on in your business, ask yourself “If I was given only 2 hours per week to work on my business, what would I do?

When coming up with business ideas, ask yourself what do I spend an absurd amount of money on and how might I convert into a business venture? (Ex. Books – start a book review site, protein bars – start a protein supplement company, clothes – start a fashion line)

If you’re contemplating entering into unfamiliar territory (ex. starting a business), ask yourself “what are the worst things that could happen? Could I get back here to where I am if they did happen?”